SuiTunar y 



On many of the ranqe areas on Flathead Indian Reservation we are 

 findinq the ranqe in good to excellent ranae condition. These areas are 

 rouqh and not accessible to qrazing animals. Also, there is very little or 

 no stockwater available. The areas we are concerned with in this report are 

 the lowland areas where heavy cattle concentrations are and the ranqe con- 

 dition is fair and poor. 



If we are to improve these areas of fair and poor ranoes it will 

 take considerable time, effort, outlay of money, and most of all dedication 

 by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, 

 and the Indian stockmen that are using the range. The effort will have to 

 be a three-way venture. 



We are recommending changing our turn out dates on the ranqe to 

 June 1 of each year. This practice alone will give the more desirable 

 range grasses a good start before they are grazed. 



Proper distribution of cattle on the ranges is one of our big problems. 

 This problem can be helped to a great degree by developing and maintaining 

 spring developments, proper salting, and in some cases, fencing the pastures 

 to promote a rotation system of grazing. 



If the wildlife population on the Reservation is to grow we should be 

 planning ahead to provide a habitat for them. It is recommended that we 

 discontinue grazing of the marginal units to restore the watershed and 

 promote wildlife on these areas. 



Some of the lands along the river are not being used to their 

 fullest potential as grazing. These lands should be removed from the 

 range units and go into farm and pasture leases for increased production, 

 more Tribal income, and a much increased land base for Indian operators. 



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